THE BUZZ: This weekend, BioWare will be hosing an “N7 Challenge Weekend” in Mass Effect 3, where playing the game’s co-op mode can net you bonus weapons for Shepard’s adventures.

EGM’s TAKE: Kicking off tonight at 5PM PST, and running until 5AM PST on Monday, March 18th, players on the Xbox 360 or PC versions of Mass Effect 3 can try their hand at “Operation Goliath”, where victory will mean rewards.

Here are the basics on Operation Goliath:

Any player who is part of a squad that beats the Reaper faction on Silver difficulty or better will unlock one Commendation Pack. This means that at least one member of the squad must be extracted at the end of the mission – this will earn all squad members the reward. Each player can earn a maximum of one pack and each pack contains a random N7 Arsenal Weapon.

Originally only available as single-player weapons via the N7 Collector’s Edition, these multiplayer variants will be exceptionally rare and are NOT obtainable through regular purchasable Reinforcement Packs. The Commendation Packs will contain one of the following guns at random: (1) N7 Crusader Shotgun, (2) N7 Eagle Pistol, (3) N7 Hurricane SMG and (4) N7 Valiant Sniper Rifle.

Destroy as many brutes as possible – if the multiplayer community kills a combined 1 MILLION brutes within the hours of the challenge, ALL players will receive a Victory Pack as a reward.

These rewards will unlock on Tuesday (March 20th) at 5PM PST, but be warned—you’ll need to redeem the packs via the multiplayer store menu within 7 days, or they’ll expire. As well, you’ll need to enable the game’s data tracking option, else your progress won’t be tracked and you won’t receive any goodies for winning.

As for you PS3 owners of Mass Effect 3 who are wondering why you’re being left out—I know how you feel.

Eric L. Patterson got started via self-publishing game-related fanzines in junior high, and now has one goal in life: making sure EGM has as much coverage of niche Japanese games as can realistically be crammed in. Eric’s also active in the gaming community on a personal level, being an outspoken voice on topics such as equality in gaming and consumer rights. Stalk Eric on Twitter: @Eric_EGM. Meet the rest of the crew.